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Acyl-CoA-binding protein (ACBP): a phylogenetically conserved appetite stimulator
Nikolaos Charmpilas1,2, Christoph Ruckenstuhl3, Valentina Sica4,5,6
1Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Foundation for Research and Technology - Hellas, Nikolaou Plastira 100, 70013, Heraklion, Crete, Greece.
Cell Death & Disease
|January 8, 2020
Summary
Hunger triggers the release of acyl-CoA-binding protein (ACBP), a protein that stimulates appetite and fat storage. This "hunger factor" plays a conserved role across species, influencing food intake from yeast to worms.
Area of Science:
- Metabolic regulation
- Appetite control
- Evolutionary biology
Background:
- Acyl-CoA-binding protein (ACBP) release increases with hunger in mice, stimulating appetite and lipo-anabolism.
- Elevated ACBP levels correlate with obesity, while low levels are seen in anorexia nervosa.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the phylogenetically conserved role of ACBP in appetite stimulation.
- To determine if ACBP functions as a universal "hunger factor" across different species.
Main Methods:
- Studied the effect of extracellular ACBP on Saccharomyces cerevisiae sporulation.
- Assessed ACBP's impact on bacterial ingestion and pharyngeal pumping in Caenorhabditis elegans.
Main Results:
- Extracellular ACBP promotes sporulation in yeast, a behavior linked to seeking food sources.
- ACBP enhances bacterial ingestion and pharyngeal pumping frequency in C. elegans.
Conclusions:
- ACBP exhibits a phylogenetically ancient role in stimulating food intake.
- ACBP acts as a conserved "hunger factor" influencing feeding behaviors across diverse organisms.
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